Search Results for: blog summer reading for toddlers

Summer Reading Series: I’m Fast!

Looking for a way to rev up your kid’s summer vacation? Have him go along for the ride when a burly blue freight train challenges a hot little red sports car to a cross-country race. The high-octane adventure is detailed in Kate and Jim McMullan’s colorful literary creation: I’m Fast! The race begins in Sacramento, California, and ends in Chicago, Illinois. In between young readers are treated to a series of twists and turns through the desert the mountains, urban jungles and country passes where herds of cattle aren’t keen about moo-ving off of train tracks. Despite having to haul … Continue reading →

Mr. Reading Rainbow’s Radical Message to Parents

Oh no, he didn’t. Levar Burton, host of the now canceled PBS children’s series “Reading Rainbow,” didn’t just tell legions of parents: “I couldn’t care less whether kids learn to read.” Oh yes, he did. But, that’s not all the 26-year veteran of the popular kid’s show got off his chest during a recent public statement. Burton also told his loyal fans (or at least the ones who can read): “May that godforsaken show burn in hell.” That was before the former “Roots” star let this doozy rip: “Look, Reading Rainbow was a television program. That should tell you something … Continue reading →

Make Learning Fun for Toddlers

With older kids back in school, now is a great time to bond with your toddler. However, instead of simply reading books or singing songs, mix-up your routine by adding these fun and educational activities that your toddler will love to play over and over: EGG MATCH Materials: 12 plastic Easter eggs Glue Egg carton Directions: Use leftover plastic eggs from Easter (about one dozen) making sure that you have at least five different colors. Glue or tape the two parts of each egg together. Encourage your child to sort the eggs by color and place them into the carton. … Continue reading →

Summer Fun for Toddlers

Looking for some ways to make the most of summer’s beautiful weather while enjoying one-on-one time with your toddler? Here are a few of my favorite ideas for summer fun: OUTSIDE READING TIME Reading is a great activity for kids of all ages. During the summer months spread out a blanket under a big tree and read books to your toddler that have pictures of things you’d find outside in the summer, such as birds, butterflies, flowers, insects, the sun and clouds, etc. Point to the pictures and tell your child what each item is. You’ll be amazed at how … Continue reading →

Baby Blog Month in Review: July 2008

Two of my three children are summer babies. That is, they were born in the summer and had their first months surrounded by sunshine streaming in the windows, the sound of birds chirping, and days spent wearing nothing but a diaper and a “onsie.” I made sure that they had Fourth of July outfits ready, even though one of them arrived a week after the holiday. I guess he just wasn’t interested in the parade. Do you have a summer baby, too? We had a lot of new information to share this past month, such as recall notices and new … Continue reading →

Children’s Literature – Animal Books for Toddlers

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The Frog House By Mark Taylor Buy today from Amazon.com I picked up The Frog House while exiting my local library one afternoon. It was a whimsical selection, like the candy bar or pack of gum by the grocery store conveyer belt. I liked the look of the book, the style of illustration – folk art collage by Barbara Garrison – and the font used for the title, and scooped it up on my way to be “rung up” (normally, you do not have to pay for books at the library and thus the term rung up would not apply … Continue reading →

Children’s Literature – Stories of Acceptance for Toddlers and Preschoolers

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Odd Velvet By Mary E Whitcomb Illustrated by Tara Calahan King Chronicle Books, 1998 I feel a deep sense of connection to Velvet, the title character of this story of acceptance and uniqueness by Mary E. Whitcomb. I was (and still am) a bit of an odd ball. Like Velvet, I never felt a strong connection to the masses, although, also like Velvet, I never seemed to be too bothered by this fact. Odd Velvet is a modernly illustrated and charming tale representing a childhood utopia, of sorts. Certainly we who are oddballs ourselves, or are parents of oddballs, would … Continue reading →

Avoid Swimming Pool Sickness

And I thought chasing after a wet, naked child in public was a problem… Imagine taking your kids to the city pool to cool off on the first day of summer vacation, then being forced to spend the next week nursing them back to health. A growing number of kids are getting sick from swimming in public pools.  The problem has become so widespread the Center for Disease Control recently issued a warning to parents about protecting their children from recreational water illnesses. Heath experts say even regularly maintained pools can contain contaminants like cryptosporidium.  If a person doesn’t shower … Continue reading →

Easter Celebrations

It is almost Easter already. This year, I realized that the date upon which Easter falls tends to “hop around” on the calendar from year to year. For the first time in my thirty-three years of existence, Easter and my birthday are actually on the same day. I enjoy reading about the Easter traditions of other families, and I have very many positive memories of Easter celebrations that my family has had over the years. This year will be a very fun time, because I am taking my son to visit my mother as well as my extended family. Many … Continue reading →

The Sleeping Car

This semester is already a whirlwind! Having our son at home during the day and trying to prepare for my qualifying exams has been a mighty task indeed. Hopefully I will succeed at both of these tasks (something to be proven in the short term by passing marks from teachers and in the long term by the presense of a happy, healthy, well-adjusted adult in the future). I wish sometimes that I were able to put off the long term for the short term but I find myself unable to abandon our son while I read another book or article … Continue reading →